BIMIi,  (l.KN.  HKNiiY  II.  NAULEE, 


T  I          I'OTOM  A  ( 


MAY 


REPOKT 


BRIG.  GEN.  HENRY  I.  NAGLEE, 


COMMANDING  FIRST  BRIGADE,  CASEY'S  DIVISION, 


ARMY   OF   THE    POTOMAC, 


OF  THE  PART  TAKEN  BY  HIS  BRIGADE  IN 


THE  BATTLE   OF  SEVEN  PINES. 


MAY  31,  1862. 


WITH  AN  APPENDIX, 

CONTAINING  THE  OFFICIAL  REPORT  OF  GEN.  CASEY. 


PHILADELPHIA: 

COLLINS,   PBINTEE,  705  JAYNE   STREET. 

1862. 


ancroft  Library 


BATTLE  OF  SEVEN  PINES 


LIEUTENANT: 

BEFORE  alluding  to  the  occurrences  of  the  31st 
of  May,  it  would  probably  add  to  a  better  understand- 
ing of  the  subject  to  refer  to  the  advance  of  my 
Brigade  on  the  24th,  25th,  and  26th,  a  week  previous. 
Having  crossed  the  R.  R.  Bridge,  and  examined 
the  Chickahominy  from  the  R.  R.  to  Bottom's  Bridge 
on  the  20th,  and  made  a  reconnoissance  from  the 
"Chimneys"  near  Bottom's  Bridge,  to  within  two 
miles  of  the  James  River  on  the  Quaker  Road,  on 
the  23d,  Gen.  McClellan  ordered  me  to  make  a  recon- 
noissance of  the  road  and  country  by  the  Williamsburg 
Road,  as  far  as  the  Seven  Pines,  on  Saturday  the  24th, 
with  instructions,  "if  possible,  to  advance  to  the 
'  Seven  Pines,'  or  the  forks  of  the  direct  road  to 
Richmond,  and  the  road  turning  to  the  right  into  the 
road  leading  from  '  New  Bridge'  to  Richmond,  and  to 
hold  that  point,  if  practicable."  Under  these  instruc- 
tions, with  the  addition  of  two  batteries  of  Col. 
Bailey's  N.  Y.  1  st  Artillery,  and  Col.  Gregg's  Cavalry  ? 
we  pushed  the  reconnoissance,  not  without  considera- 


ble  opposition,  to  the  "  Seven  Pines"  on  the  day  refer 
red  to ;  one  mile  and  a  half  beyond  the  "  Pines"  on  the 
following  day,  and  to  a  line  perpendicular  to  the  rail- 
road from  Richmond  to  West  Point,  intersecting  it 
midway  between  the  fifth  and  sixth  mile  posts,  on 
the  day  following  the  last;  and  on  the  day  after,  the 
27th,  extended  it  across  to  the  "Nine  Mile  road" 
where  it  is  intersected  by  the  road  to  Garnett's  house, 
and  thence  by  this  road  bearing  to  the  right;  our 
picket  lines  extended  to  the  Chickahominy.  This 
line,  from  the  river  across  the  Rail  Road  to  the 
Williamsburg  road,  about  three  miles  long,  was  pick- 
eted at  first  by  the  First  Brigade,  and  afterwards  by 
Casey's  Division,  but  placed  more  directly  under  the 
charge  and  protection  of  the  regiments  of  the  First 
Brigade,  which  were  encamped  along  its  entire  length 
for  that  purpose. 

The  picket  line  proposed  to  be  kept  up,  and  the 
supports  to  the  same,  from  the  left  of  the  above 
picket  line  on  the  Williamsburg  road  to  the  White 
Oak  Swamp,  were  especially  intrusted  to  Gen.  Couch. 

This  was  the  line  of  our  advance  on  Saturday  the 
31st  of  May,  at  12  M.,  when  two  shells  thrown  into 
our  camp  first  announced  the  hostile  intentions  of  the 
enemy.  No  alarm  was  felt  by  any  one,  for  it  was 
seldom  that  twenty-four  hours  passed  that  we  did  not 
exchange  similar  salutations. 

Soon  after  it  was  reported  that  an  attack  was  im- 
pending, the  usual  orders  were  issued,  and  within 


half  an  hour  the  troops  moved  to  positions  that  were 
assigned  to  them  by  Gen.  Casey. 

Being  at  this  time  on  the  "  Nine  Mile  road,"  near 
a  breast-work  fronting  the  "Old  Tavern"  then  under 
construction,  and  judging,  from  the  discharges  of  mus- 
ketry becoming  frequent,  that  something  serious  was 
intended,  I  hastened  in  the  direction  indicated  by  the 
fire,  and  soon  arrived  upon  the  ground,  on  the  Wil- 
liamsburg  road,  about  three-quarters  of  a  mile  in  front 
of  the  "  Seven  Pines,"  where  I  found  Gen  Casey,  who ' 
had  placed  the  100th  N.  Y.,  Col.  Brown,  on  the  left 
of  that  road,  behind  a  field  of  large  timber  that  had 
been  cut  down.  On  the  right  of  the  same  road  was 
placed  Capt.  Spratt's  N.  Y.  battery  of  4  pieces.  On 
the  right  of  this  were  three  companies  of  the  llth 
Maine,  Col.  Plaisted,  and  on  the  right  of  the  llth 
Maine  were  eight  companies  of  the  104th  Penna., 
Col.  Davis.  Four  companies  of  the  llth  Maine  were 
on  picket  duty,  but,  being  driven  in,  formed  with  the 
56th  N.  Y.,  Lt.-Col.  Jaudan,  at  his  encampment,  in 
line  of  battle,  parallel  with  and  about  800  yards  in 
rear  of  the  picket  line,  200  yards  to  the  left  of  the 
Rail  Road.  Col.  Dodge's  52d  Penna.,  supporting  the 
picket  line  on  the  extreme  right,  formed  at  his  en- 
campment on  the  Nine  Mile  road  three-quarters  of  a 
mile  in  rear  of  the  large  Garnett  field.  The  remain- 
ing companies  of  the  104th  Pa.  and  llth  Maine  were 
on  picket  duty  along  the  large  field  in  the  direction 
of  the  Chickahominy. 


Soon  after  my  arrival  upon  the  ground — about  one 
o'clock  P.  M. — the  fire  then  being  frequent,  and  from 
the  direction  of  the  main  Eichmond  stage  road,  Gen. 
Casey  gave  an  order  to  the  100th  N.  Y.,  and  104th 
Pa.,  and  llth  Maine,  to  charge,  when,  as  reported  by 
Col.  Davis,  the  regiments  sprang  forward  "  towards 
"  the  enemy  with  a  tremendous  yell.  In  our  way  was 
"  a  high  worm  fence  which  cut  our  former  line  of 
"  battle,  but  the  boys  sprang  over  it,  into  the  same 
•"  inclosure  with  the  enemy,  where  we  formed  and  re- 
"  newed  the  fight.  The  battle  now  raged  with  great 
"  fury,  and  the  firing  was  much  hotter  than  before. 
"  Spratt's  battery  during  this  time  had  kept  up  a 
"  lively  fire  in  the  same  direction.  At  about  3  P.  M., 
"'the  enemy  being  largely  reinforced,  pressed  us  in 
"front  and  flank,  and  seeing  that  we  could  not  hold 
"  our  position  much  longer,  unless  reinforced,  I  dis- 
"  patched  an  officer  to  Gen.  Casey  for  that  purpose. 
"  The  Colonel  of  the  100th  N.  Y.  being  killed,  the 
"Colonel  of  104th  severely  wounded,  the  Major 
"mortally  wounded,  the  Lieutenant-Colonel  absent, 
"half  of  our  men  having  been  killed  or  wounded, 
"the  enemy,  ten  times  our  number,  within  a  few 
"  feet  of  us,  one  of  them  striking  Sergeant  Porter, 
"  the  left  guide  of  the  104th,  over  the  neck  with  his 
"musket,  several  of  the  llth  Maine  being  bayoneted, 
"  and  receiving  no  reinforcements,  we  were  ordered, 
"with  'Spratt's'  battery,  to  retire;  but,  unfortunately, 


"  the  horses  of  one  of  the  pieces  being  killed,  we  were 
"  compelled  to  abandon  that  piece." 

The  enemy  endeavored  to  follow  up  this  success, 
and  was  advancing  in  closed  columns,  when,  our 
troops  having  been  sufficiently  withdrawn,  Col.  Bailey, 
of  the  1st  N.  Y.  Artillery,  at  my  request,  directed  the 
fire  of  the  batteries  of  Fitch  and  Bates,  situated  in 
and  near  the  redoubt,  to  be  concentrated  upon  the 
advancing  mass.  At  every  discharge  of  grape  and 
canister  wide  gaps  were  opened  in  his  ranks,  which 
were  filled  as  soon  as  opened ;  still  he  pressed  on, 
until,  after  many  trials,  with  immense  loss,  finding 
that  he  was  "  advancing  into  the  very  jaws  of  death," 
with  sullen  hesitation  he  concluded  to  desist  at  this 
point. 

I  congratulated  Col.  Bailey  upon  his  gallant  con- 
duct and  good  services,  as  above  described,  and  sug- 
gested that  in  the  event  of  being  compelled  to  aban- 
don another  piece,  he  should  instruct  his  gunners  to 
spike  before  leaving  it.  He  went  into  the  redoubt  to 
give  these  orders,  when  he  was  shot  by  a  rifle  ball 
through  the  forehead,  and  died  a  few  minutes  after, 
the  State  losing  a  gallant  soldier,  and  his  artillerymen 
a  friend  to  whom  they  were  entirely  devoted. 

Soon  after  this,  Major  Van  Valkenburgh,  of  the 
same  artillery,  was  killed  by  a  rifle  ball  whilst  actively 
engaged  in  working  these  batteries,  and,  but  a  little 
while  after,  Lieut.  Rumsey,  the  Adjutant,  in  the  same 
manner.  All  of  the  field  and  staff  officers  being  killed, 


I  assumed  the  direction  of  the  batteries  composing 
the  1st  N.  Y.  Artillery. 

No  reinforcements  having  been  sent  to  us,  and  de- 
sirous of  following  up  the  success  above  referred  to, 
about  3J  P.  M.  I  rode  to  the  rear,  and  led  up  the 
55th  N.  Y.,  Lt.-Col.  Thourote,  and  placed  it  in  line 
perpendicular  to  the  Williamsburg  road,  about  fifty 
yards  in  advance  of  the  redoubt,  the  left  resting  a 
short  distance  from  the  road.  Before  getting  into 
position  they  were  compelled  to  march  over  the  bodies 
of  their  killed  and  wounded  comrades,  and  soon  after- 
wards found  themselves  fully  engaged.  Leaving  the 
55th,  my  attention  was  directed  towards  the  right, 
where  I  found  the  56th  N.  Y.  with  the  llth  Maine, 
who,  after  four  hours'  contest,  had  fallen  back  about 
four  hundred  yards,  and  were  again  placed  by  me,  at 
four  hours  and  ten  minutes,  in  a  depression  in  the 
ground,  about  midway  between  the  Williamsburg 
road  and  the  railroad,  and  about  three  hundred  yards 
in  front  of  the  Nine  Mile  road.  Near  by  I  found 
the  52d  Pa.,  which  had  been  ordered  from  the  right, 
and  I  placed  them  in  echellon  to  the  right,  and  front 
of  the  56th,  with  the  right  resting  upon  and  in  rear 
of  a  large  pond.  At  this  time  the  fire  here  had  con- 
siderably slackened,  but  was  increasing  on  the  left. 
Returning,  in  about  an  hour,  to  the  left,  I  found  the 
55th  engaged  to  their  utmost  extent,  and  ascertained 
for  the  first  time  that  the  enemy  had  discovered,  what 
I  had  long  feared,  that  there  were  none  of  our  troops 


between  the  White  Oak  Swamp  and  a  line  parallel 
with  and  but  two  hundred  yards  from  the  Williams- 
burg  road.  He  had  more  than  an  hour  before  dis- 
covered this,  and  with  sharpshooters  concealed  in  the 
woods,  to  the  left  and  rear  of  the  redoubt  and  rifle- 
pits,  they  had  killed  many  of  our  most  valuable  offi- 
cers, had  picked  off  the  cannoniers,  and  had  killed 
from  three  to  four  horses  out  of  every  team  attached 
to  the  1st  N.  Y.  Artillery,  and,  at  the  time  of  my 
return,  had  driven  our  men  from  the  rifle-pits.  No 
time  was  to  be  lost ;  Fitch's  battery  was  ordered  to 
the  rear.  The  battery  under  Lt.  Hart  was  next  or- 
dered to  retire,  but  it  was  soon  found  that  but  one 
limber  could  be  moved.  I  ordered  the  pieces  to  be 
spiked ;  but  after  spiking  the  pieces  in  the  redoubt, 
those  on  the  outside  of  it  were  in  the  possession  of 
the  enemy.  By  way  of  precaution,  I  had  ordered  the 
prolongues  to  be  fixed  to  the  sections  of  Regan's  bat- 
tery, still  firing  up  the  Williamsburg  road,  and  ordered 
it  to  retire  firing,  until  in  the  abattis  that  crosses  the 
road.  I  then  withdrew  the  55th,  under  the  protec- 
tion of  its  fire.  This  regiment  had  fought  most  gal- 
lantly, suffered  severely,  and  contributed  much,  in  the 
end,  towards  saving  Regan's  battery  from  falling  into 
the  hands  of  the  enemy.  And  then,  the  entire  field 
in  front  of,  and  including  the  redoubt,  was  in  pos- 
session of  the  enemy,  who  had  pressed  to  within  a 
few  yards  of  us,  it  being  necessary  to  support  many 
of  the  wounded  horses,  to  keep  them  from  falling  in 


10 

the  traces.  At  5.15  P.  M.,  we  brought  the  last  sec- 
tions of  Bailey's  1st  N.  Y.  Artillery  from  the  field, 
the  air  being  at  this  time  literally  filled  with  iron  and 
lead.  Returning  rapidly  to  my  56th  N.  Y.,  llth 
Maine,  and  52d  Pa.,  my  anticipations  here  were  re- 
alized ;  being  successful  in  turning  our  left  flank,  the 
enemy  had  opened  a  most  destructive  cross  fire  upon 
them,  from  the  pieces  near  the  redoubt,  that  had  not 
been  spiked,  and  this,  with  the  fire  from  their  imme- 
diate front,  was  no  longer  to  be  endured,  and  they 
were  withdrawn,  and  marched  down  the  Nine  Mile 
road,  and  placed  in  position,  in  rear  of  this  road, 
about  three  hundred  yards  from  the  Seven  Pines, 
where  soon  their  services  were  required.  In  the 
meanwhile,  Col.  Neil,  of  the  23d  Pa.,  had  come  upon 
the  ground  occupied  by  Col.  Dodge,  and  induced  him 
to  advance  in  front,  and  to  the  right  of  the  position 
that  had  been  assigned  to  him,  whilst  he.  Col.  Neil, 
occupied  that  which  the  52d  Pa.  vacated.  But  these 
dispositions  were  scarcely  made,  before  the  masses  of 
the  enemy  broke  through,  and  a  few  minutes  sufficed 
to  leave  the  half  of  Dodge's  command  upon  the 
ground,  and  to  force  Neil  precipitately  from  his  posi- 
tion. 

The  remaining  portion  of  the  52d — for  it  was  now 
reduced  to  a  little  over  one  hundred  men — were  con- 
ducted along  the  Nine  Mile  road  to  the  Seven  Pines, 
where,  finding  the  rifle-pits  occupied,  they  took  posses- 
sion of  a  fence,  and  some  outhouses,  and  did  most 


11 


effective  service.  Afterwards,  they  crossed  to  the  left 
of  Couch's  position,  and  advanced  two  hundred  yards, 
into,  and  along  the  woods,  to  the  left  and  front  of  the 
Seven  Pines,  where  they  remained  actively  employed, 
until  near  dark,  when  the  enemy  advancing  rapidly 
in  masses  to  the  rear  of  the  Nine  Mile  road,  inclined 
towards  the  Williamsburg  road,  sweeping  everything 
from  the  field,  our  forces  making  one  general,  simul- 
taneous movement  to  the  rear,  which  did  .not  stop 
until  all  had  arrived  at  the  line  of  defence,  one  mile 
in  that  direction.  The  52d  having  their  retreat  cut 
off,  escaped  by  passing  through  the  woods  to  the  left 
and  rear,  to  the  sawmill,  at  the  White  Oak  Swamp, 
and  thence  to  the  line  above  referred  to,  where  they 
rejoined  their  comrades  of  the  1st  Brigade.  Follow- 
ing down  the  Nine  Mile  road,  after  Dodge  retired 
from  his  first  position,  about  500  yards  from  the  inter- 
section of  the  Seven  Pines,  I  found  Col.  J.  Adams 
commanding  the  1st  Long  Island,  which  was  placed 
across  the  road,  a  portion  of  the  right  flank  being  in 
rear  of  it,  with  the  left  flank  extending  to  the  front 
and  left.  Advising  Col.  Adams  of  the  rapid  approach 
of  the  enemy  —  of  the  direction  he  was  coming,  and 
of  the  position  of  the  56th  N.  Y.  and  104th  Pa.  on 
his  left,  he  withdrew  the  left  flank  of  the  Long  Island 
to  the  rear  of  the  Nine  Mile  road,  making  a  continu- 
ous line  with  the  above,  and  the  men  were  ordered  to 
lie  down,  that  they  should  escape  the  murderous  fire 
that  was  incessantly  pouring  in  from  the  front. 


12 

Scarcely  was  this  done,  before  the  87th  N.  Y.,  Col. 
Stephen  E.  Dodge,  of  Kearney's  Division,  Heintzel- 
man's  Corps,  came  along  the  Nine  Mile  road,  with 
rapid  step,  cheering  most  vociferously,  passed  the 
56th  N.  Y.,  104th  Pennsylvania,  and  1st  Long  Island 
about  fifty  yards,  received  a  volley,  broke,  and  passed 
the  whole  of  them,  running  over  the  backs  of  those 
lying  down,  the  latter  remaining  undisturbed  until 
ordered  to  rise  and  meet  the  accumulated  force  that 
was  bearing  all  before  it.  Volley  after  volley  was 
given,  and  received.  An  order  was  given  to  charge, 
but  one  hundred  yards  brought  us  into  such  close 
proximity  with  the  enemy,  "  that  a  sheet  of  fire  was 
blazing  in  our  faces."  The  ranks  on  both  sides  were 
rapidly  thinning ;  but  still  the  great  disparity  in  our 
numbers  continued.  So  close  were  the  contending 
forces,  that  our  men  in  many  instances,  whilst  at  a 
charge,  poured  their  fire  into  the  breasts  of  the  enemy, 
within  a  few  feet  from  the  points  of  their  bayonets. 
This  dreadful  contest  lasted  until  nearly  dark.  My 
56th  and  104th  suffered  dreadfully,  lost  the  greater 
part  of  their  officers  and  men,  and  were  compelled  to 
give  way,  carrying  their  wounded  with  them. 

It  was  then,  in  the  language  of  Lt.  Haney,  of  the 
104th,  "that  I  (Lt.  Haney)  and  Lt.  Ashenfelder  and 
others  led  Capt.  Corcoran,  Capt.  Swatzlander,  and 
Lt.  Hendric  off  the  field.  It  was  about  half  an  hour 
before  dark.  We  went  down  the  Nine  Mile  road, 
and  along  the  Williamsburg  road.  The  fighting  was 


13 

nearly  over.  Our  troops  were  all  retiring.  We  saw 
the  enemy,  not  over  seventy-five  yards  in  our  rear, 
and  no  troops  between  us  and  them.  All  of  our 
forces  were  moving  back,  little  regard  •  being  paid  to 
brigade,  regimental,  or  even  company  organization, 
Kearney's  troops  came,  but  did  not  stay  long.  Capt. 
Corcoran  becoming  continually  weaker,  we  were  com- 
pelled to  carry  him." 

Fully  confirming  the  statements  of  my  officers,  I 
assert  that  I  saw  no  running,  and  there  was  no  panic, 
but  all  moved  off  together,  with  a  single  purpose,  and 
that  one,  to  make  a  stand  upon  the  line  of  defences, 
one  mile  in  the  rear,  the  only  one  of  sufficient  capa- 
city to  enable  us  to  defend  ourselves  against  vastly 
superior  numbers,  until  our  reinforcements  could  be 
brought  together. 

Company  "I,"  Capt.  Morrill,  and  Company  "E," 
Lt.  Sabine,  of  the  llth  Maine,  were  on  picket  duty 
along  the  Garnett  field,  in  front  of  which  several  rebel 
regiments  marched  about  dark.  Some  of  the  men 
crawled  into  the  wheat,  and  shot  three  of  the  field 
officers  as  they  marched  by.  When  Sedgwick  crossed 
the  Chickahominy,  they  immediately  communicated 
with  him,  remained  all  night  upon  the  picket  line, 
with  the  enemy  in  their  front  and  rear,  and  on  Sun- 
day, at  9  A.  M.,  came  in,  bringing  more  prisoners  than 
the  entire  number  of  men  in  their  ranks. 

Second  Lt.  Rice,  of  the  llth  Maine,  was  very  sick, 
in  the  hospital,  where  there  were  a  number  of  the 


14 

same  regiment.  After  the  fight  grew  warm,  he  ex- 
claimed: "Boys,  every  one  of  you  that  can  hold  up 
his  head,  follow  me."  More  than  twenty  followed 
him.  He  shouldered  a  musket,  and  all  joined  their 
regiment,  and  fought  most  gallantly.  Rice,  after 
seventeen  rounds,  delivered  with  deadly  effect,  for  he 
was  an  excellent  shot,  was  severely  wounded  in  the 
thigh,  and  was  carried  from  the  field. 

Company  "E,"  104th  Pa.,  Capt.  Harvey,  Lt.  Croll, 
and  fifty-eight  men,  were  extended  on  picket  duty 
from  the  railroad  to  the  corner,  at  the  intersection  of 
the  Nine  Mile  road  with  the  road  to  Garnett's  house, 
when  about  3  P.  M.  the  enemy  approached,  but  left 
them  unmolested  after  firing  some  scattering  shots, 
during  which  time  we  took  thirteen  prisoners.  After 
5  P.  M.  the  enemy  again  appeared  in  force  along  this 
entire  line.  With  the  assistance  of  their  supports,  he 
was  held  in  check  for  nearly  an  houi%  when,  finding 
themselves  surrounded,  they  were  taken  prisoners. 
Capt.  Harvey  was  placed  in  charge  of  an  officer  with 
five  men,  and  was  marching  off,  when  a  shell  struck, 
and  killed  the  officer ;  the  Captain  taking  advantage 
of  the  confusion,  made  his  escape;  four  of  the  men 
following  his  example. 

On  Saturday,  Lt.  Col.  Hoyt,  of  the  52d  Penna., 
was  in  charge  of  the  Pioneers  of  the  1st  Brigade,  and 
two  companies  of  the  same  Reg't,  building  a  bridge 
which  I  had  directed  to  be  built  across  the  Chicka- 
hominy.  Remaining  upon  the  ground,  and  informing 


15 

himself  of  the  proceedings  upon  the  extreme  right, 
he  rendered  most  valuable  service  by  advising  Gen. 
Sumner,  as  soon  as  he  crossed  the  swamp,  of  the  pre- 
cise position  of  our  forces,  and  those  of  the  enemy. 
After  which,  the  enemy  having  pressed  down  be- 
tween the  railroad  and  Gen.  Sumner,  Lt.  Col.  Hoyt, 
with  the  above,  and  some  of  the  100th  N.  Y.  that 
were  driven  in  from  the  picket  lines,  near  the  Chick- 
ahominy,  remained  with  Gen.  Sumner  until  Sunday, 
and  behaved  well. 

After  leaving  the  battle-field,  at  dark,  the  Brigade, 
numbering  over  one  thousand,  was  marched  to  the 
right  rifle-pits  of  the  rear  defences,  but  vacated  them 
at  the  request  of  Gen.  Kearney,  and  occupied  those 
on  the  left,  with  the  other  brigades  of  Casey's  Divi- 
sion, where  we  remained  under  arms,  in  the  rain,  all 
night. 

I  have  shown  in  the  history  of  the  battle  of  the 
Seven  Pines,  the  conduct  of  every  one  of  the  regi- 
ments of  the  1st  Brigade,  from  the  time  the  first  vol- 
ley was  fired,  at  noon,  until  the  enemy,  having  driven 
our  troops  from  the  ground,  near  dark,  cut  off  the 
retreat  of  the  52d,  by  the  Williamsburg  road,  and 
was  still  annoyed  by  its  deadly  fire. 

The  list  of  casualties  shows  that  there  were  taken 
into  the  action,  84  officers  and  1669  men;  and  that  35 
officers  and  603  men  were  killed,  wounded,  and  taken 
prisoners,  being  42  per  cent,  of  the  former,  and  37 
per  cent,  of  the  latter.  Of  the  ninety-three  of  the 


16 

llth  Maine,  that  were  led  into  the  fight  by  Col. 
Plaisted,  52  were  killed  and  wounded. 

The  Brigade  was  among  the  last  enlisted  ;  it  had 
been  reduced  more  than  one-half  by  sickness ;  that  it 
fought  well,  none  can  deny,  for  it  lost  638  of  its 
number;  bodies  were  found  over  every  part  of  the 
field,  and  where  these  bodies  lay,  were  found  double 
the  number  of  the  enemy. 

The  enemy,  more  generous  than  our  friends,  admit 
"  that  we  fought  most  desperately,  and  against  three 
entire  divisions  of  his  army,  with  two  in  reserve  that, 
later  in  the  day,  were  brought  in." 

For  3i  hours  we  contested  every  inch  of  ground 
with  the  enemy,  and  did  not  yield  in  that  time  the 
half  of  a  mile.  We  fought  from  12  M.  until  3J  P. 
M.,  with  but  little  assistance,  and  until  dark,  with 
our  comrades  of  other  regiments  and  of  other  divi- 
sions, wherever  we  could  be  of  service,  and  when,  at 
dark,  the  enemy  swept  all  before  him,  we  were  the 
last  to  leave  the  ground. 

I  am  most  happy  to  refer  to  the  kind  treatment 
extended  by  the  enemy  to  many  of  the  wounded  of 
the  Brigade  that  were  taken  prisoners. 

Since  the  battle  of  Seven  Pines,  now  nearly  three 
weeks,  a  force  ten  times  that  of  Casey  and  Couch, 
has  not  been  able  to  regain  the  line  of  outposts  esta- 
blished by  the  1st  Brigade  on  the  26th  of  May;  our 
present  line  being  half  a  mile  in  rear  thereof. 

None  of  the  brigade,  regimental,  or  company  bag- 


17 

gage  was  lost.  Some  of  the  shelter  tents,  knapsacks, 
and  blankets  fell  into  the  hands  of  the  enemy,  which 
was  the  natural  consequence  of  being  encamped  in 
close  proximity  with  the  outposts. 

Conduct  such  as  this,  if  it  be  not  worthy  of  com- 
mendation, should  not  call  forth  censure,  for  censure 
undeserved  chills  the  ardor  and  daring  of  the  soldier, 
and  dishonors  both  the  living  and  the  dead. 

Very  respectfully,  &c. 
NAGLEE, 

Brig.  Geri>l. 
To  LIEUT.  FOSTER, 

A.  A.  A.  Geril,  Casey's  Division,  Army  of  the  Potomac. 


APPENDIX. 


THE  BATTLE    OF   SEVEN   PINES. 
THE  OFFICIAL  REPORT  OF  GEN  CASEY. 

HEADQUARTERS  GEN.  CASEY'S  DIVISION, 

POPLAR  HILL,  HENRICO  Co.,  VA.,  June,  1862. 

CAPTAIN  :  In  obedience  to  directions  from  the  General  command- 
ing the  Fourth  Corps,  I  have  the  honor  to  submit  the  following 
report  of  the  operations  of  my  division  in  the  battle  of  the  Seven 
Pines,  on  the  31st  ult.  I  occupied  with  my  division  the  advanced 
position  of  the  army,  about  three-fourths  of  a  mile  from  the  cross- 
roads at  the  Seven  Pines,  where  I  caused  rifle-pits  and  a  redoubt  to 
be  thrown  up ;  also  an  abattis  to  be  commenced  about  one-third  of 
a  mile  in  front  of  the  pits,  and  parties  were  employed  upon  these 
works  on  the  morning  of  the  31st. 

Previously  to  occupying  my  last  position  I  had  occupied  the 
cross-roads,  and  had  there  also  caused  an  abattis  to  be  cut  and 
earthworks  to  be  commenced.  On  the  29th,  the  day  on  which  I 
moved  my  camp  forward,  and  also  on  the  30th,  my  advanced  pickets 
had  been  attacked  by  a  body  of  the  enemy  on  the  former  day  by  a 
force  of  three  hundred,  and  on  the  next  by  one  of  four  hundred  in 
number.  The  pickets  on  the  first  day  succeeded  in  driving  the 
enemy  back  in  confusion,  killing  and  wounding  a  number,  with  a 
loss  on  my  part  of  but  two  killed  and  two  wounded.  Major  Kelly, 
of  the  Ninety-sixth  Regiment  New  York  Volunteers,  was  one  of  my 
killed.  The  Major  was  in  command  of  my  pickets  at  this  point, 
and  by  his  gallant  conduct  animated  the  men  to  the  firm  resistance 


20 

offered.  In  the  attack  of  the  30th  I  ordered  the  One  Hundredth 
Regiment,  New  York  Volunteers,  to  move  to  the  support  of  the 
pickets.  With  the  assistance  of  this  regiment,  under  the  command 
of  Col.  Brown,  they  succeeded  in  repelling  the  attack,  the  enemy 
leaving  six  of  his  dead  upon  the  ground.  On  the  morning  of  the 
31st  May,  my  pickets  toward  the  right  of  my  line  succeeded  in  cap- 
turing Lieut.  Washington,  an  Aid  of  Gen.  Johnson,  of  the  rebel 
service.  This  circumstance,  in  connection  with  the  fact  that  Col. 
Hunt,  my  General  Officer  of  the  day,  had  reported  to  me  that  his 
outer  pickets  had  heard  cars  running  nearly  all  night  on  the  Rich- 
mond end  of  the  railroad,  led  me  to  exercise  increased  vigilance. 
Between  11  and  12  o'clock  a  mounted  vidette  was  sent  in  from  the 
advanced  pickets,  to  report  that  a  body  of  the  enemy  was  in  sight, 
approaching  on  the  Richmond  road.  I  immediately  ordered  the 
One  Hundred  and  Third  Regiment  Pennsylvania  Volunteers  to 
advance  to  the  front  for  the  purpose  of  supporting  the  pickets.  It 
was  soon  afterward  reported  to  me  by  a  mounted  vidette  that  the 
enemy  were  advancing  in  force;  and  about  the  same  time  two  shells 
were  thrown  over  my  camp.  I  was  led  to  believe  that  a  serious 
attack  was  contemplated,  and  immediately  ordered  the  Division 
under  arms,  the  men  at  work  on  the  abattis  and  rifle  pits  to  be 
recalled  and  to  join  their  regiments,  the  artillery  to  be  harnessed  up 
at  once,  and  made  my  dispositions  to  repel  the  enemy.  While  these 
were  in  progress  the  pickets  commenced  firing.  I  directed  Spratt's 
battery  of  four  pieces,  three  inch  rifle  guns,  to  advance  in  front  of 
the  rifle  pits,  about  one-fourth  of  a  mile,  in  order  to  reply  with 
advantage  to  the  enemy's  artillery,  which  I  knew  was  in  battery  in 
front  of  my  pickets'  line,  and  also  to  shell  the  enemy  as  soon  as 
the  withdrawal  of  the  pickets  and  their  supports  should  permit.  I 
supported  this  battery  by  the  One  Hundred  and  Fourth  Regiment 
Pennsylvania  Volunteers,  the  Eleventh  Regiment  Maine  Volunteers, 
and  the  One  Hundredth  Regiment  New  York  Volunteers,  of  the 
First  Brigade,  and  the  Ninety-second  Regiment  New  York  Volun- 
teers of  the  Third  Brigade. 


21 

I  placed  Capt.  Bate's  Battery,  commanded  by  Lieut,  Hart,  in  the 
redoubt,  Capt.  Regan's  Battery  in  rear  and  on  the  right  of  the  rifle 
pits;  Capt.  Fitch's  Battery  in  rear  of  the  redoubt.  The  Eighty- 
fifth  Regiment  New  York  Volunteers  occupied  the  rifle  pits  on  the 
left,  and  the  Eighty-fifth  Regiment  Pennsylvania  Yolunteers  those 
on  the  right.  The  One  Hundred  and  First  Regiment  Pennsylvania 
Yolunteers  were  posted  on  the  right  of  these  regiments,  and  the 
Eighty-first,  Ninety-sixth  and  Ninety-eighth  New  York  regiments 
were  advanced  to  cover  the  left  flank.  For  several  days  the  Fifty- 
second  Pennsylvania  Yolunteers  had  occupied  a  position  on  the 
Nine  Mile  road,  a  support  to  my  advanced  pickets  on  my  right  flank, 
and  the  Fifty-sixth  regiment  New  York  Yolunteers  had  held  a 
position  on  the  railroad.  I  made  no  change  in  the  position  of  these 
last  two  regiments.  About  fifteen  minutes  after  these  dispositions 
had  been  completed,  I  directed  the  advanced  battery  to  open  on  the 
artillery  and  advancing  column  of  the  enemy.  In  a  short  time 
after,  the  One  Hundred  and  Third  Regiment  Pennsylvania  Volun- 
teers, which  at  the  first  alarm  had  been  ordered  to  the  support  of 
the  pickets,  came  down  the  road  in  some  confusion,  having  suffered 
considerable  loss  from  the  fire  of  the  rebel  advance.  The  enemy 
now  attacked  me  in  large  force  on  the  centre  and  both  wings,  and  a 
brisk  fire  of  musketry  extended  along  the  two  opposing  lines ;  my 
artillery  in  the  mean  time  throwing  canister  into  their  ranks  with 
great  effect.  Perceiving,  at  length,  that  the  enemy  were  threaten- 
ing me  upon  both  wings,  for  want  of  reinforcements,  which  had 
been  repeatedly  asked  for,  and  that  his  column  still  pressed  on,  I 
then,  in  order  to  save  my  artillery,  ordered  a  charge  of  bayonets  by 
the  four  supporting  regiments  of  the  centre,  which  was  executed  in 
a  most  gallant  and  successful  manner,  under  the  immediate  direction 
of  Brig.  Gen.  Naglee,  commanding  First  Brigade,  the  enemy  being 
driven  back. 

When  the  charge  had  ceased,  but  not  until  the  troops  had  reached 
the  edge  of  the  woods,  the  most  terrible  fire  of  musketry  commenced 
that  I  have  ever  witnessed.  The  enemy  again  advanced  in  force, 


22 

and  the  flanks  having  been  again  severely  threatened,  a  retreat  to 
the  works  became  necessary.  To  be  brief,  the  rifle-pits  were  re- 
tained until  they  were  almost  enveloped  by  the  enemy — the  troops, 
with  some  exceptions,  fighting  with  spirit  and  gallantry.  The 
troops  then  retreated  to  the  second  line,  in  possession  of  Gen. 
Couch's  Division.  Two  pieces  of  artillery  were  placed  in  the  road 
between  the  two  lines,  which  did  good  execution  upon  the  advancing 
foe. 

On  my  arrival  at  the  second  line,  I  succeeded  in  rallying  a  por- 
tion of  my  division,  and,  with  the  assistance  of  Gen.  Kearney,  who 
had  just  arrived  at  the  head  of  one  of  the  brigades  of  his  division, 
attempted  to  regain  possession  of  my  works,  but  it  was  found  im- 
practicable. The  troops  of  Gen.  Couch's  division  were  driven  back, 
although  reinforced  by  the  corps  of  Gen.  Heintzelman.  The  corps 
of  Gens.  Keyes  and  Heintzelman,  having  retreated  to  the  third  line, 
by  direction  of  Gen.  Heintzelman,  I  then  collected  together  what 
remained  of  my  division. 

The  Fifty-second  Pennsylvania  Volunteers,  and  the  Fifty-sixth 
Regiment  New  York  Yolunteers,  were  under  the  particular  direc- 
tion of  Brig. -Gen.  Naglee,  and  I  refer  to  his  report  for  further 
mention  of  them.  Gen.  Naglee  behaved  with  distinguished  gal- 
lantry through  the  engagement,  having  a  horse  killed  under  him, 
and  receiving  four  contused  wounds  from  musket  balls.  Gens. 
Palmer  and  Wessels  encouraged  by  their  example  their  men  to  do 
their  duty  on  the  field.  Gen.  Wessels  had  a  horse  shot  under  him, 
and  himself  received  a  wound  in  the  shoulder.  Lieuts.  West  and 
Foster,  my  Aides-de-Camp,  were  active  through  the  day,  affording 
me  much  service  and  behaving  gallantly.  Capt.  Davis,  of  the 
Provost  Guard  of  my  division,  acted  as  my  aide  a  portion  of  the 
time,  rendering  much  assistance,  and  conducting  himself  in  a  gallant 
manner.  I  also  feel  much  indebtedness  to  my  medical  director,  Dr. 
Crosby,  for  the  energy  he  evinced  in  collecting,  and  his  promptness 
and  skill  in  providing  for  the  wounded.  I  have  inclosed  a  list  of 
the  killed,  wounded,  and  missing,  as  also  the  reports  of  the  com- 


23 

manders  of  the  brigades  to  which  I  refer.  I  cannot  forbear  men- 
tion of  the  severe  misfortunes  suffered  by  the  division  and  the 
service  in  the  loss  of  Col.  G.  D.  Bailey,  my  Chief  of  Artillery,  who 
fell  in  the  attempt  to  spike  the  pieces  in  my  redoubt,  which  were 
necessarily  abandoned.  Col.  Bailey  was  an  officer  of  thorough 
military  education,  of  clear  and  accurate  mind,  cool,  determined  and 
intrepid  in  the  discharge  of  his  duty,  and  promising,  with  riper 
years,  to  honor  still  more  the  profession  to  which  he  was  devoted. 

About  the  same  time  also  fell  Major  Yan  Yalkenburg,  of  the 
First  Regiment  New  York  Artillery,  a  brave,  and  discreet,  and 
energetic  officer.  Under  the  circumstances,  I  think  it  my  duty  to 
add  a  few  remarks  with  regard  to  my  division.  On  leaving  Wash- 
ington, eight  of  the  regiments  were  composed  of  raw  troops.  It 
has  been  the  misfortune  of  the  division,  marching  through  the 
Peninsula,  to  be  subjected  to  an  ordeal  which  would  have  severely 
tried  veteran  troops.  Furnished  with  scanty  transportation,  occu- 
pying sickly  positions,  exposed  to  the  inclemency  of  the  weather, 
at  times  without  tents  or  blankets ;  illy  supplied  with  rations  and 
medical  stores,  the  loss  from  sickness  has  been  great,  especially 
with  the  officers.  Yet  a  party  from  my  division  took  possession 
of  the  railroad  bridge  across  the  Chickahominy,  driving  the  enemy 
from  it,  and  my  division  took  the  advance  on  the  23d  day  of  May, 
and,  by  an  energetic  reconnoissance,  drove  the  enemy  beyond  the 
Seven  Pines.  Notwithstanding  all  these  drawbacks,  and  the  fact 
that  there  were  not  five  thousand  men  in  line  of  battle,  they  with- 
stood for  three  hours  the  attack  of  an  overwhelming  force  of  the 
enemy  without  the  reinforcement  of  a  single  man  at  my  first  line. 
The  Fifty-fifth  Regiment  New  York  Yolunteers  reached  my  second 
line  just  before  it  was  evacuated.  If  a  portion  of  my  division  did 
not  behave  as  well  as  could  have  been  wished,  it  must  be  remem- 
bered to  what  a  terrible  ordeal  they  were  subjected,  still,  those  that 
behaved  discreditably  were  exceptional  cases.  It  is  true  that  the 
division,  after  being  nearly  surrounded  by  the  enemy  and  losing 
one-third  of  the  number  actually  engaged,  retreated  to  the  second 


24 

line ;  they  would  all  have  been  prisoners  of  war  had  they  delayed 
their  retreat  a  few  minutes  longer. 

In  my  humble  opinion,  from  what  I  witnessed  on  the  31st,  I  am 
convinced  that  the  stubborn  and  desperate  resistance  of  my  division 
saved  the  army  on  the  right  bank  of  the  Chickahominy  from  a 
severe  repulse,  which  might  have  resulted  in  a  disastrous  defeat. 

The  blood  of  the  gallant  dead  would  cry  to  me  from  the  ground 
on  which  they  fell  fighting  for  their  country,  had  I  not  said  what  I 
have  to  vindicate  them  from  the  unmerited  aspersions  which  have 
been  cast  upon  them. 

SILAS  CASEY, 
Brigadier-  General  Comman  ding. 


Syracuse,  n    i. 
PAT.  JAN.  21,  1908 


